Pictured: Gaelscoil Lios Tuathail at last year’s parade. Photo by John Kelliher
The Listowel St. Patricks Day Committee are so looking forward to this years annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival, which will be held on Tuesday, March 17th, with lots of activities taking place in the town Square on the day and during the week leading up. The theme for this years parade is ‘Scéal Ó Bhéal’, ‘Tell your story’, the theme is intentionally broad, allowing community groups, schools, cultural organisations, artists and clubs to interpret it in their own way and to tell the story that feels most meaningful to them.
There will also be numerous events throughout the week. There are a number of events aimed directly at primary school children, there will be a Comórtas Ealáíne (art competition) held in Gaelscoil Lios Tuathail on Wednesday 11th March at 6pm all primary school children are welcome to attend. We will have a Tráth na gCeist in St. Michaels College on Friday 13th March at 6pm, the Tráth na gCeist is open to 5th and 6th class children in teams of 4. Writers week are also sponsoring a Comórtas Scríbhneóreachta in honour of their 55th anniversary, this competition is open to children from 2nd to 6th class and will be run in conjunction with the local schools. ‘We are delighted to host these events as part of seachtain na gaeilge and the lead up to our St.Patricks day festival’ says committee secretary Breda Dowling.
Some of the other events taking place during the festival are the Pop Up Gaeltacht in John B Keanes, traditional music in Christys, and lots of other live music in all of the bars throughout the town. The Park Run will hold a green mile in honour of St. Patricks Day on Saturday 14th in Listowel Town Park and much more.
On the day of the parade there will be lots going on in the town square from 11am. ‘We will have Face Painting, balloon modelling, lots of children’s rides and food stalls. We will hold a best dressed dog competition at 11.30am in front of the stage, all entrants are so welcome and just turn up on the day to the stage about 11.15.’ continued Breda
In addition to the usual quiet area on Courthouse Road, Listowel’s Autism Friendly Town Committee will be offering support to the autistic community on St Patrick’s Day, you will find them in the square. There will be a sensory break area with fidget toys & ear defenders available should any families need them. We want families to feel they can be part of the parade celebrations with community support available.
If anybody is interested in participating in this years parade there are entry forms available in St. Johns Theatre or Christys Bar.
